NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, Stephen F. Austin State University's art gallery located in downtown Nacogdoches, will be closed for a portion of the university's semester break.

The Art Center will be open as usual from Tuesday, Dec. 20, through Thursday, Dec. 23, but then close until Tuesday, Jan. 4, except by appointment. Normal hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Currently on exhibit in the downstairs Ledbetter Gallery is "Fabric of African Culture," a powerful exhibition that celebrates the expressive quality of the work and artistic expression inherent in the cultures of Africa, according to Gary Parker, SFA instructor of art and the show's curator.

Displayed with an eye for the variety of materials and the regional influences, the items represent over 500 years of history and tribes from across the continent. The show runs through Saturday, Jan. 15.

Upstairs in the Reavley Gallery, visitors can view "Rufus Butler Seder: LIFETILES," an exhibition featuring "Movies for the Wall," optical glass-tiled murals that appear to come to life, change, and move as the viewer passes by. The show runs through Saturday, March 26.

"Both of these exhibitions have received wonderful responses from our patrons," said Lisa Steed, interim director of SFA galleries. "Come visit us downtown and see these fascinating displays."

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St.

SFA's on-campus Griffith Gallery will be closed until Wednesday, Jan. 19. Patrons can then view "A Forest Insect Alphabet," an exhibition of 56 woodcuts and text used in the book of the same title that was printed by SFA's LaNana Creek Press. Regular hours for Griffith Gallery, located in Room 208 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

For more information on the galleries or exhibitions, or to make an appointment for The Cole Art Center, please call (936) 468-1131.